The Vampyre; a Tale by John William Polidori
page 9 of 41 (21%)
page 9 of 41 (21%)
|
This monstrous rodomontade is here related, because it seems better
adapted to illustrate the subject of the present observations than any other instance which could be adduced. In many parts of Greece it is considered as a sort of punishment after death, for some heinous crime committed whilst in existence, that the deceased is not only doomed to vampyrise, but compelled to confine his infernal visitations solely to those beings he loved most while upon earththose to whom he was bound by ties of kindred and affection. ---A supposition alluded to in the "Giaour." But first on earth, as Vampyre sent, Thy corse shall from its tomb be rent; Then ghastly haunt the native place, And suck the blood of all thy race; There from thy daughter, sister, wife, At midnight drain the stream of life; Yet loathe the banquet which perforce Must feed thy livid living corse, Thy victims, ere they yet expire, Shall know the demon for their sire; As cursing thee, thou cursing them, Thy flowers are withered on the stem. But one that for thy crime must fall, The youngest, best beloved of all, Shall bless thee with a father's name-- That word shall wrap thy heart in flame! Yet thou must end thy task and mark Her cheek's last tinge--her eye's last spark, And the last glassy glance must view Which freezes o'er its lifeless blue; |
|